The League of Women Voters (LWV) is ninety years old and stronger than ever. From its founding in 1919, the League has been a nonpartisan organization committed to bringing more informed voters into active civic life on the national, state, and local levels. The League has been an institution in Tyler since 1952.

“The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County (LWV-TSC) is celebrating the League’s 90th birthday with a birthday party and two candidate forums to inform voters about local candidates that hope to become our elected officials,” says Kristi C. Roberts, president.

LWV-TSC will present candidate forums on Monday, February 15 and Monday, April 19, in the Dr. Jack Davidson Conference Center, at the Jim Plyler Instructional Complex, 807 W. Glenwood, in Tyler.

When passage of the 19th Amendment appeared to be imminent in 1919, members of the National American Woman Suffrage Association established LWV to work to end all discrimination against women. Gradually, the League expanded its interests to include a full range of civic issues affecting communities, states, and the nation.

Today, the League works to effect positive change in a wide variety of issues including health care, education, climate change, land use, and election and campaign finance reform. Locally, the League works on such issues as meeting basic human needs in Smith County and support for public libraries.

“The women who started the movement to give women the right to vote really did not know if, how, or when they would succeed, yet they persevered for 72 years,” says Ms. Roberts. “Once the Amendment passed, they committed themselves to improving our democracy and keeping it healthy, vibrant, and strong.”

Like all 850 local and state Leagues, LWV-TSC includes both men and women members. All eligible voters are welcome to become members.

“We take seriously our legacy of providing trustworthy and balanced resources and information to citizens and lawmakers,” says Program Vice President Pamela Reeves. “The League never advocates for parties or persons. We do, however, support improvements in U.S. policies after we have conducted in-depth research about the subjects.”

“We look forward to continuing to strengthen our democracy over the next 90 years,” Ms. Reeves continues. “After all, the League is the organization where hands-on work to safeguard democracy leads to civic improvement.”